Cable retaining device



April 2, 1963 c. A. DAMM 3,033,993

CABLE RETAINING DEVICE Filed Feb. 24, 1960 Fig 2 INVENTOR.

CARL A. DAMM II. I

AGENT Patented Apr. 2, i953 Pad 3,033,993 CAlBLE RETAENHNG DEVICE Carl A. Damm, Upper Black Eddy, Pa, assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Feb. 24, 1960, Ser. No. 10,817 Claims. (Cl. 29475) (Granted under Title 35', US. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention herein described may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

The present invention relates to -a cable retaining device and more particularly to a device adapted to be used with a hoisting sling which is capable of retaining the hoisting sling in a fixed relation to the center of gravity of a substantially elongated store secured in the hoisting sling.

Hoisting slings have proved valuable means for hoisting objects or stores of varying size, shape, structural configuration and weight into confined spaces because they provide suitably distributed support to the stores and permit high-density loading of the stores into a given space by requiring a minimum side and top clearance. For example, to assure a maximum bomb load in the bomb bay of an aircraft, the hoisting sling permits adjacent bombs to be secured in close proximity in a bomb rack. Improved hoisting slings of this type are disclosed in application Serial No. 757,163 of Carl A. Damm for Universal Hoisting Sling filed August 25, 1958. These slings incorporate a cincture band and a quick disconnect latch assembly in combination with one or two hoisting cables. In a frequently used variation of this combination, the band is positioned so that the latch assembly is substantially on the lower circumference of the store and the ends of two hoisting cables are respectively connected to separable members of the latch assembly and extend upward on opposite sides of the store.

Although the last-mentioned sling arrangement has served well for the purposes intended, it has not proved entirely satisfactory in hoisting heavy substantially elongated stores of large diameter. A slight longitudinal displacement of the center of gravity of the store with respect to the hoisting cables will cause the store to pitch or overturn about a horizontal axis normal to the longitudinal axis and below the center of gravity of the store. Such precarious and unstable support during hoisting is highly undesirable. In aircraft arming, pitching motion appearing in heavy bombs may require several men to restabilize the bomb and substantially increase the load ing time. Moreover, an unchecked pitching motion may cause the bomb to strike the deck or adjacent aircraft structure with damaging results.

An old method for preventing a store from pitching when the area of contact of the hoisting sling is in line with and below the center of gravity of a store comprised of simple U-shaped troughs located on opposite sides of the horizontal centerline of the store, which engaged the sling and which extended the effective attaching area from the bottom to the sides of the store. Cables are known to slip out of troughs of this type in the presence of violent pitching or lateral swing of the store during hoisting. Even if this shortcoming were compromised, the U-shaped troughs are not readily adaptable to the improved type universal hoisting slings mentioned above.

A general purpose of the present invention is to provide a cable retaining device which embraces all the advantages of the similarly employed U-shaped troughs and possesses none of the aforedescribed disadvantages. To

attain this, the present invention contemplates a unique clevis-like fitting and notched detent pin arrangement in the hoisting sling whereby the effective hoisting cable attaching area is extended to points on opposite sides and above the center of gravity of the store. This stabilizes the store in the sling. The clevis-like fitting and the notched detent pin assure retention of the hoisting cables in a fixed position and afford quick cable recovery after the store is hoisted into the loading space and secured to the supporting structure. As will become apparent herein, the cable retaining device in no way sacrifices the advantages of distributed support and high-density loading realized in the apparatus described hereinabove.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cable retaining device for stabilizing the attitude of a substantially elongated store secured in a hoisting sling.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cable retaining device which can be adapted for use with a universal hoisting sling of the type incorporating a cincture band, a quick disconnect latch assembly, and hoisting cable means therefor.

Still another object of the invention is directed to providing a cable retaining device fixed to a store and capable of quickly retaining a hoisting cable thereto and for quickly recovering the hoisting cable after the store is secured in an elevated position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cable retaining device of economical and simple construction which enables stores to be hoisted into confined spaces having limited side and top clearance between the space walls and the hoisted store or between adjacent stores.

These and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a cross-sectional end view in elevation of a store secured in a hoisting sling and illustrates cable retaining devices of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational layout of one of the cable retaining devices illustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from the side of the store;

FIG. 3 represents a cross-sectional view of the cable retaining device taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 illustrates in cross-section, the cable retaining device taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawing in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is illustrated in FIG. 1, a cylindrical store 10 viewed in cross section in a plane normal to the transverse axis and through the center of gravity of the store 10. The store 16 is supported at the bottom half of its circumference substantially in said normal plane by a hoisting sling comprising a cincture band 11 which girds about the circumference of the store lit and is secured at the ends of the band at the bottom by a quick-disconnect latch assembly 12, preferably of the type disclosed in application Serial No. 757,163, supre. The latch assembly 12 may be located at any convenient location to suit the particular installation. For example where clearance permits, the latch assembly 12 can be put on one side, thus enabling a man to safely unlatch and attach or detach hoisting cables 13 and 14 without working directly beneath the hoisted store. Obviously, only one cable retaining device would be used in such a case. As shown, the hoisting cables 13 and 14 are respectively pin-connected to separable members of the latch assembly 12 and extend upward about opposite sides of the store it and connect to hoist or Winch means not shown. Cable retaining devices 16 and 17 are oppositely disposed at the circumference of the store and slightly above a horizontal plane passing through the center of gravity of the store- 10.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the cable retaining device 17, also representative of device 16, includes a clevis-like anchor fitting 18 secured against the circumference-ofthe store 10-by the cincture band 11 overlaying a flange 19 of the fitting 18. A bifurcated boss 21 extends through a band lite hole 22 and is oriented for receiving the cable 14, in the manner illustrated, by guide ends 23 and 23 of the fitting 18. Additional band lite holes 22 are provided for selectively positioning the-cable retaining devices 16 and 17 and the latch assembly 12 around the circumference of the store 10.

The hoisting cable 14 is entrapped between .the bifurcations of boss 21 by a notched detent pin 24 in coaxial holes 25. The pin 24 has a semi-circular notch 26 transversely cut into the body of the pin 24, the depth of which is nearly equal to the radius of the hoisting cable 14. A planar surface portion 27 is milled on the cylindrical portion of the pin 24 from its insertion extremity, to the notch 26 in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axes of the notch 26 and thedetent pin 24. The depth of the planar surface portion 27 is such that it avoids intersecting the hole provided for spring-biased ball detent 28, and is less than the depth of the notch 26. For easy insertion and removal of the pin 24 into and from fitting 18 while retaining the cable 14, ramps 29 are provided which extend tangentially from the planar surface portion 27 to the insertion end of pin 24 and notch 26, all edges being rounded. The ball detent 28 assures positive insertion of the pin 24 in the fitting 18. Jaws 31 on the fitting 18 provide limited clearance for the cable 14 When the pin 24 is inserted to the retaining position as illustrated. A slight amount of cable deflection occurs between jaws 31 when the planar surface portion 27 confronts the cable 14, as when the pin 24 is being insertedor removed.

The guide ends 23 and 23 also include drilled holes 32 and 32' which permit access of pin 24 to holes 25 through either of the guide ends 23 or 23'.

The cable retaining 'device 17 further includes a pull ring 33 pivotally connected at the outer end of pin 24 which is .connected to the guide end 23' by a short flexible cable 34 linked by eye ends 36 and 36'. Cable 34 is also disposed between the flange 19 and the cable 14. It is contemplated that the cable 34 shall be of sufficient length to permit the pin 24 to be removed from the holes 25 and remain in the hole 32 while the loop 36 rests at the pivotal point of the ring 33; and when the ring 33 is rotated so that-the outer end'touches the pin 24, the .pin 24 can also be removed from hole 32 by loop 36 moving to the outer end "of the ring 33. The short cable 34 can be attached to the guide end 23, but the embodiment illustrated is preferred for positive ejection of the cable 14 when the pin 24 is pulled out. The manner in which the cable is ejected will become apparent in the operation of the device which will now be summarized.

Preparatory to hoisting the store 10 into a desired space, the cincture band 11, latch assembly 12 and the cable retaining devices 16 and 17 are mounted and secured on the store 10 under convenient conditions of time and place. The hoisting sling components may be arranged in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 or in the alternative arrangements aforementioned. The sling must be located in a plane along the transverse axis whereby the sling affords support under the center of gravity of the store 10. It is contemplated that several slings can be employed, thus requiring that the center of gravity of the store 10 be located in a plane coinciding with the effective point of support. Each notched detent pin 24 can also be inserted in the respective drilled hole 32. At loading time, the store 10 is moved-under the space to be loaded and the hoisting cables 13 and 14 are connected to the latch assembly 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1.- The portion 27 of each pin 24 is forced past the cable '13 or 14 and into the holes 25 until the notch 26 confronts the cable 13 or 14.

The store 10 is then hoisted into the loading space and secured therein. The cables 13 and 14 are slackened and disconnected from the latch assembly 17 which, in turn, is unlatched. By means of the pull ring 33 in each cable retaining device 16 or 17, pin 24 is pulled out of holes 25. As this occurs, short cable 34 snaps against an inner portion of cable 13 or 14 to positively eject it from between the bifurcated members of the boss 21.

In confined spaces, access to the pull ring 33, in the position illustrated, may be difiicult. By the present invention, the cincture band 11 may be shifted until device 16 or 17 is accessible from below.

It should be understood, as illustrated in FIG. 1, that the position of cable retaining devices 16 and 17' are such as to permit cables 13' and 14 to vertically depart from the sides of the store 10. In this manner, very high stress loadings on the cables 13 and 14-are not converted into an overturning moment in the anchor fitting 18 which would impart concentrated stresses on the periphery ofthe store 10.

It should be further understood, of course, that theforegoing disclosure relates only to a preferred embodiment of the invention and that numerous modifications and variations may be made therein Without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the stable suspension of a horizontally-positioned elongated store at the center of gravity thereof, comprising, in combination: a cincture band adapted to gird the store and having two opposite ends positioned on the lower surface thereof, latch means with two separable members connected respectively to said band ends for securing said band about the store, two hoisting cable slings each having one end respectively connected to said band ends and the other end adapted to be connected to a hoisting means, said band having lite holes throughout the length thereof, two cable retaining devices for entrapping said slings at said band on opposite sides of the store, each of said cable retaining devices including an anchor fitting and'a notched detent pin, each said anchor fitting having a bifurcated portion inserted in a selected separate one of said lite holes and protruding radially outwardly from the store through said band, said bifurcated portion having coaxial openings normal to the axis of said bifurcated portion for'receiving said detent pin therethrough, each said detent pin formed of a cylindrical external configuration and having a semicylindrical transverse notch formed intermediate the ends thereof'for seating one of said slings therein, each said detentpin having aplanar surface portion formed thereon extending from the insertion end'thereof to said notch and disposed parallel to said detent pin andtransverse to the axes of said notch, the depth of said planar surface portion being less than the depth of said nott h, a pull ring pivotally connected to the end opposite to the insertion end of said detent. pin, and flexible means for connecting each said pull ring to each respective one of said'anchor fittings for preventing the separation of said pull ring therefrom and thereby assuring theretention of each said hoisting cable between said pins and said band, within said bifurcated portions of said anchor fittings.

, 2. Apparatus for the stable suspension of a horizontally-positioned elongated store at the center of gravity thereof, comprising, in combination: a cincture band adapted to gird the store and having lite holes formed throughout the length thereof, latch means for securing said band about the store, a hoisting cable sling connected to said band and further adapted to be connected to a hoisting means, said sling having a portion of its length contiguous with the lower portion of said band when secured about the store, cable retaining means for entrapping said sling to said band on at least one side of the store including an anchor fitting having a bifurcated portion for inserting through one of said lite holes and protruding radially outwardly from the store through said band, said bifurcated portion having coaxial openings normal to the axis of said bifurcated portion for receiving a detent pin, said detent pin having a transverse notch formed intermediate the ends thereof for receiving said sling therein, said pin having a planar surface portion formed therein extending from the insertion end thereof to said notch, and a pull ring pivotally connected to the end opposite to the insertion end of said detent pin, whereby said sling is retained between said pin and said band within said bifurcated portions of said anchor fitting.

3. Apparatus for the stable suspension of an elongated store at the center of gravity thereof, comprising, in combination: a cincture band adapted to gird the store and having apertures throughout the length thereof, a hoisting sling for supporting said store having a portion of the length thereof contiguous with the lower portion of said band when secured about the store, cable retaining means for entrapping said sling to said band on one side of the store insertable in one of said apertures to protrude outwardly through said band, said means also having coaxial openings containing a removable detent pin, said detent pin forming a notch intermediate the ends thereof for seating said sling when entrapped therein, said detent pin further forming a planar surface portion extending from the insertion end to said notch, and a pull ring pivotally connected to the other end of said detent pin, whereby said sling is retained within said retaining means.

4. A cable retaining device for stabilizing the attitude of a substantially elongated store comprising: a fitting having a flanged portion adapted to abut the store and a bifurcated portion extending radially outwardly from the periphery of the store, said bifurcated portion having coaxial holes with the axis thereof normal to the ends of said bifurcated portion, a cylindrical detent pin insertable in said holes for enclosing the space between the separated parts of said bifurcated portion, said detent pin ineluding a semicircular transverse notch intermediate the ends thereof, said notch disposed in a manner so that it is exposed between the separated parts of said bifurcated portion when said detent pin is inserted in said holes into an operative position, a planar surface portion extending from said notch to the insertion end of said pin, said planar surface portion being of less depth than the depth of said notch, a ball detent disposed at the insertion end of said pin, a pull ring pivotally connected to the end opposite of said insertion end of said detent pin, and flexible means connecting said pull ring to said fitting for limiting the travel of said detent pin.

5. A cable retaining device for stabilizing the attitude of a substantially elongated store comprising: a bifurcated fitting adapted to abut the store and extending radially outwardly from the periphery of the store, said fitting having coaxial holes with the axis thereof normal to the radial axis of said fitting, a detent pin insertable in said holes for enclosing the space between the separated parts of said fitting, said detent pin including a notch intermediate the ends of said pin facing radially toward the store, and a planar surface portion extending from said notch to one end of said detent pin, being of less depth than the depth of said notch and also facing toward the store.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,968,060 Utiger July 31, 1934 2,433,523 Mahan et al Dec. 30, 1947 2,462,744 Hasselhorn Feb. 22, 1949 2,495,932 Haseltine Jan. 3 1, 1950 2,506,564 Blanchard May 9, 1950 2,786,392 Niedling Mar. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 325,372 Switzerland Dec. 31, 1957 

1. APPARATUS FOR THE STABLE SUSPENSION OF A HORIZONTALLY-POSITIONED ELONGATED STORE AT THE CENTER OF GRAVITY THEREOF, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A CINCTURE BAND ADAPTED TO GIRD THE STORE AND HAVING TWO OPPOSITE ENDS POSITIONED ON THE LOWER SURFACE THEREOF, LATCH MEANS WITH TWO SEPARABLE MEMBERS CONNECTED RESPECTIVELY TO SAID BAND ENDS FOR SECURING SAID BAND ABOUT THE STORE, TWO HOISTING CABLE SLINGS EACH HAVING ONE END RESPECTIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID BAND ENDS AND THE OTHER END ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A HOISTING MEANS, SAID BAND HAVING LITE HOLES THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH THEREOF, TWO CABLE RETAINING DEVICES FOR ENTRAPPING SAID SLINGS AT SAID BAND ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE STORE, EACH OF SAID CABLE RETAINING DEVICES INCLUDING AN ANCHOR FITTING AND A NOTCHED DETENT PIN, EACH SAID ANCHOR FITTING HAVING A BIFURCATED PORTION INSERTED IN A SELECTED SEPARATE ONE OF SAID LITE HOLES AND PROTRUDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM THE STORE THROUGH SAID BAND, SAID BIFURCATED PORTION HAVING COAXIAL OPENINGS NORMAL TO THE AXIS OF SAID BIFURCATED PORTION FOR RECEIVING SAID DETENT PIN THERETHROUGH, EACH SAID DETENT PIN FORMED OF A CYLINDRICAL EXTERNAL CONFIGURATION AND HAVING A SEMICYLINDRICAL TRANSVERSE NOTCH FORMED INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF FOR SEATING ONE OF SAID SLINGS THEREIN, EACH SAID DETENT PIN HAVING A PLANAR SURFACE PORTION FORMED THEREON EXTENDING FROM THE INSERTION END THEREOF TO SAID NOTCH AND DISPOSED PARALLEL TO SAID DETENT PIN AND TRANSVERSE TO THE AXES OF SAID NOTCH, THE DEPTH OF SAID PLANAR SURFACE PORTION BEING LESS THAN THE DEPTH OF SAID NOTCH, A PULL RING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE END OPPOSITE TO THE INSERTION END OF SAID DETENT PIN, AND FLEXIBLE MEANS FOR CONNECTING EACH SAID PULL RING TO EACH RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID ANCHOR FITTINGS FOR PREVENTING THE SEPARATION OF SAID PULL RING THEREFROM AND THEREBY ASSURING THE RETENTION OF EACH SAID HOISTING CABLE BETWEEN SAID PINS AND SAID BAND WITHIN SAID BIFURCATED PORTIONS OF SAID ANCHOR FITTINGS. 